Ronald Martinez/Getty Images(SAN ANTONIO) -- Tony Parker scored 24 of his game high 28 points in the second half, as he led the San Antonio Spurs past the Los Angeles Lakers 102-91, Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series.

"We always need him to be aggressive," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said when talking about Parker's third quarter scoring. "He knew that...he's been around long enough to know what was going on and we needed to score and needed to establish some momentum offensively. He really did a great job in that third quarter and got us going."

Parker came on strong in the third quarter scoring 15 points. Kawhi Leonard and Tim Duncan both scored 16 points while Manu Ginobili scored 13 points in 19 minutes of play.

Dwight Howard led the Lakers with 16 points, nine rebounds and four blocks in the loss.

After the game Lakers' forward Metta World Peace was asked if the Lakers were losing because of the the loss of Kobe Bryant, who is out for the season.

"We got Dwight Howard....we still got Pau....so that's just a way out," World Peace said. "That's just an excuse. And I appreciate you trying to help us with excuses -- I really do appreciate that -- but I can't really take that invitation."

Game 3 will be in Los Angeles Friday night. Tip-off is set for 10:30 p.m. Eastern time.